Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, out since December 19 with a torn patella tendon in his right knee and a torn quadriceps in the same leg, said in an interview with the team website Monday that he has decided to retire.

Mourning had already announced in July that the 2007-2008 season would be his final one in the NBA, and after suffering his injuries while attempting to block a shot in the first period of Miami's December 19 game at Atlanta, the 16-year veteran has opted not to try and rehab himself for another season.

"Yes. I'm retired," Mourning said. "This is it for me."

Mourning averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 24 games for Miami before his injury. For his career, Mourning has averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 837 games with the Charlotte Hornets, New jersey Nets and Miami.

Coming out of Georgetown University, Mourning was selected by the Hornets with the second overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He was a seven-time NBA All- Star and collected back-to-back NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1999 and 2000.

oh no! my favorite player ever to be a member* of the toronto Raptors has left the game.

This is an injustice to all raptor fans, nay BASKETBALL fans from Canada and around the globe.

I'm sorry, but i'm having a difficult time holding back the emotions.

Pardon me while i begin a facebook page devoted to bring Allonzo "the warrior" back and reconsider his retirment. Come on Allonzo, you can rehab from your recent injury and work hard to get back to winning another ring.